Computer-implemented emergency alert lighting system

Abstract

A computer-implemented method and computer-readable medium for alerting emergency personnel. Using a mobile device, a signal is transmitted to a control hub, the control hub in wireless communication with a server. In response, the signal then transmits from the control hub to a designated switch of a light fixture in the user's home, for example, wherein the light fixture is activated into a flashing mode such that a visible, flashing display of light is presentable external to the home of the user to the emergency personnel. Concurrently, the signal from the mobile device then transmits from the control hub to a 911 call center; and, optionally, the signal can be transmitted over the server to a third-party emergency contact.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method for alerting emergency personnel, comprising the steps of:
 using a mobile device configured to identify a user location of a user and an emergency contact list, wherein said emergency contact list is stored and managed via said mobile device, transmitting an emergency alert signal to a control hub, said control hub in wireless communication with a server; 
 in response, allowing said emergency alert signal from said mobile device to then transmit from said control hub to a designated switch of a light fixture, wherein said light fixture is activated into a flashing mode such that a visible, flashing display of light is presentable to said emergency personnel; 
 concurrently, allowing said emergency alert signal from said mobile device to then transmit from said control hub to a 911 call center; and, 
 allowing said emergency alert signal to concurrently transmit over said server to a third-party emergency contact accessed from said emergency contact list. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of programming said smart switch. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein for the step of programming said smart switch, a production programming environment tool is downloaded onto a computer, and said smart switch, in communication with said computer, is loaded with said production programming environment tool. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of setting up said control hub, and wherein the step of setting up said control hub further comprises linking said control hub to said mobile device. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of adding a device to a user account on said mobile device as part of a device addition module such that said control hub can be linked to said mobile device. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of adding a serial number located on said control hub into said user account. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of connecting said control hub to a user's local Wi-fi. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein for the step of allowing said signal to concurrently transmit over said server to a third-party emergency contact, an emergency alert contact module is activated, wherein said emergency contact list includes said third-party emergency contact maintained by said mobile device such that said third-party emergency contact receives said signal and is thereby alerted. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein said third-party emergency contact receives a message generated by said emergency alert contact module and can accept or reject population into said emergency contact list. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of allowing said user to chat with said 911 call center in response to activation of a chat module such that said user can communicate with said 911 call center silently, said chat module activated upon activation of said emergency alert contact module. 
     
     
       11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium with stored contents that cause one or more mobile devices to perform the steps of:
 using said mobile device, said mobile device configured to identify a user location and an emergency contact list, wherein said emergency contact list is stored and managed via said mobile device, transmitting an emergency alert signal to a control hub, said control hub in wireless communication with a server; 
 in response, allowing said emergency alert signal from said mobile device to then transmit from said control hub to a designated switch of a light fixture, wherein said light fixture is activated into a flashing mode such that a visible, flashing display of light is presentable to emergency personnel; and, 
 allowing said emergency alert signal to concurrently transmit over said server to a third-party emergency contact accessed from said emergency contact list. 
 
     
     
       12. The medium of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of programming said smart switch. 
     
     
       13. The medium of  claim 12 , wherein for the step of programming said smart switch, a production programming environment tool is downloaded onto a computer, and said smart switch, in communication with said computer, is loaded with said production programming environment tool. 
     
     
       14. The medium of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of setting up said control hub, and wherein the step of setting up said control hub further comprises linking said control hub to said mobile device. 
     
     
       15. The medium of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of adding a device to a user account on said mobile device as part of a device addition module such that said control hub can be linked to said mobile device. 
     
     
       16. The medium of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of adding a serial number located on said control hub into said user account. 
     
     
       17. The medium of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of connecting said control hub to a user's local Wi-fi. 
     
     
       18. The medium of  claim 11 , wherein for the step of allowing said signal to concurrently transmit over said server to a third-party emergency contact, an emergency alert contact module is activated, wherein said emergency contact list includes said third-party emergency contact maintained by said mobile device such that said third-party emergency contact receives said signal and is thereby alerted. 
     
     
       19. The medium of  claim 18 , wherein said third-party emergency contact can accept or reject population into said emergency contact list.